Iran lawmakers draft uranium-enrichment bill

Chat with us in Facebook Messenger. Find out what's happening in the world as it unfolds.

U.S. President Barack Obama at the Saban Forum at the Willard Hotel on December 7, 2013 in Washington, DC.

Story highlights

The move comes less than a week after legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate

U.S., others believe Iran is attempting to build a bomb through uranium enrichment

Tehran says its nuclear intentions are peaceful

Iranian lawmakers have drafted a bill that would force the government to enrich uranium up to 60% if new sanctions are imposed, state media reported Wednesday.

The move comes less than a week after bipartisan legislation was introduced in the U.S. Senate that would authorize new economic sanctions on Iran if it breaches an interim agreement to limit its nuclear program or fails to strike a final accord terminating those ambitions.

"If the bill is approved, the government will be obliged to complete nuclear infrastructure at Fordo and Natanz (facilities) if sanctions (against Iran) are ratcheted up, new sanctions are imposed, the country's nuclear rights are violated and the Islamic Republic of Iran's peaceful nuclear rights are ignored by members of P5+1," state-run Press TV reported lawmaker Seyyed Mehdi Mousavinejad said. The so-called P5+1 is the United States, Britain, China, Russia, France and Germany.

The draft bill was signed by 100 legislators, Press TV said.

A six-month agreement struck in November among the United States, other world powers and Iran calls for Tehran to start limiting its nuclear activities in return for a relaxation of sanctions that have crippled its economy.